Synthetic flying trainer



Aprifl 10 1945. H. T. JEANDRON SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet l 1:11; anion April 10,1945-v H. T. JEANDRON 2,373,313

SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 10, 1945- H. T. JEANDRON SYNTHETIC FLYI'NG TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. /M

April 10, 1945. H. T. JEANDRON SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER I Filed Aug. 11, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

April 1945- H. T. JEANDRON 2,373,313

SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 7 SheetsSheet 5 FIG-II. FIG- IO.

INVENTOR April 1945- H. T. JEANDRON SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR /MWH Ap l 10, 19 MJEANDRQN 373 3 3 I SYNTHETIC FLYING TRAINER Filed Aug. 11, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Apr. 10, 1945 r 7 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,373,313 svu'rnn'rrc FLYING mamas Howard T. J eandron, Keyport, N. 3. Application August 11, 1941, Serial No. access (or. se se) 27 Claims.

This invention relates to a pilot flight training mechanism and more-particularly to a device for simulating actual flight through optical illusion, which is in efiect synthetic flying.

In the present state of the related art there are a number of training devices, such as the ground trainer that actually taxis around the field to give thei'eel of controlling the motion with aileron,.flap, and rudder; then there is the trainer that remains stationary but is mounted to permit the pilot to vary his physical attitude with the respective controls; and another form permits the pilot to aim a beam of light on a target and vary his controls as the target moves; still other forms of trainers are known which are somewhat simpler and merely attempt to familiarize the traineewith the controls and their action.

Outside of the taxiing trainer, there is little chance for an optical satisfaction the various attitudes assumed by the movement of the controls, whereas in. the applicant's invention the optical illusion oi motion and change in attitude has been the primary consideration, and by means of a pie-arranged sound film, a moving picture is projected upon a screen or simulated windshield which gives the optical and auditory illusion desired. To give the trainee or operator the desired control of his flight, the flying controls are coordinated with the projecting means and each and every response aitects the attitude of the training plane. In addition, other controls and instruments are coordinated to give a very realistic efiect.

The object of the present invention is to provide an optical illusion of flight by projecting a moving picture on the visual field and controlling the attitude of the picture with respect to the operator.

Another object is to provide a variable speed of projection to give the illusion of variable speed of flight.

A further object is to provide coordinated control of projection in all attitudes of flight.

A still further object is to provide electrical means of controlling the movement of the projecting means to give an optical impression of variations of physical attitude, during gunnery practice.

Another object is to provide optical aiming by flight controls to give gunnery practice.

A still further object is to produce a moving target problem by a moving picture projection with a means of aiming at gunnery sight at the be in range,

target, consisting of the flying controls of an airplane.

A further object is to provide a sound film so that realistic sound effects may be had, and verbal instruction for firing a gun may be imposed on the sound film.

A still further object is to provide means of plotting the correct ballistic data for certain conditions on an imaginary path of a, film and adjusting the follower circuit to register according to contacts made over this imaginary path of projection.

A still further object is to provide an airplane gunnery turret with the positioning controls and a projected target problem, with means of indicating ballistically corrected hits.

A further object is to provide visual problems for tank operation and gunnery practice.

Qther objects and characteristic features of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein identical reference numerals are applied to the same parts in the several figures, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an airplane cockpit trainer and its associated projecting mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a perspective illustration of the stick control and the two rheostat controlled by the stick,

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of a pair of motors and their associated diflerential drive,

Fig. 10 is an illustration of a portion of film, showing the notch and roller actuated switch,

Fig. 11 is an imaginary path of positions at which a target plane may be sighted on a screen, and particular positions at which the target will Fig. 12 is an instrument control panel indicating the various controls as well as the control stick and rudder pedals,

Fig. 3 is a perspective illustration of the rudder Fig. 13 is an alternate scheme of mounting the projecting unit,

Fig. 14 is an outline illustration of a projecting unit similar to that of Fig. 2, which is coordinated with a tank model,

Fig. 15 is another embodiment of the invention which illustrates a movable gunnery position for an airplane having electrical controlling mechanism and a projecting unit associated therewith, and

Fig. 16 is a graph illustrating the development of the periphery of the follower cams for gunnery practice.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, there is provided a simulated cockpit enclosure 20, which for the purposes intended is shown completely enclosed with a door 2i permitting entry and exit into and out of the structure. Also, embodied in this structure, is an opening 22 covered with a screen of glass or other screen windshield material. The structure 20 may be mounted on legs or springs 23 to raise it oil the ground and to give it a resilient effect, such as the landing gear of a plane. Within the structure there is provided a pilot chair 25, a stick 26, a pair of rudder pedals 21, 28 and a dash board or instrument board 30. Mounted a short distance in front of the cockpit is a projecting unit 31, which is electrically connected to the cockpit controls by a conduit means 32.

The stick 26 is mounted as indicated in Fig. 2, being formed with a yoke end 33 and having two rheostat arms 34, 35. Through the center of the yoke 33 a shaft 36 is mounted, this shaft having a central portion 31 formed as a hearing so that the yoke 33 stays centered on this shaft 36, and permits the stick 26 to be pivotally moved in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shaft 38. A shaft 38 is passed through the bearing portion 31 and mounted in a large bearing 40, where it may be keyed to lock it in a fixed end wise position, but rotatable at right angles to the axis of the shaft. The shaft 38 also has mounted at the opposite end thereof a pair of rheostat arms Hanging from the shaft 38 in a rheostat supporting member l! which has two rheostats, s3

and M, therein, and in operation are contacted by the pairs of arms 36 and 35. The bearing to may be mounted to the floor of the cockpit by the bolts shown in any suitable fashion to support the stick 26 in its proper relationship. In addition, a rheostat supporting member 35 is also mounted to the floor of the cockpit to properly position a pair of rheostats it and ti, so that the arm 6| may contact same. It is apparent that with members 40 and to properly aillxed the stick 26 may be moved forward, back or to the right or left within a sphere of some 30 to 40 degrees; and in so doing, will move the paired contact arms 34, 35 and di over the rheostats 63, M and d6, 41 respectively to the degree that the stick it is moved in that plane.

Likewise, the rudder pedals 2i and 28 are mounted on a shaft 5% and both attached to a cable 5|. The cable is looped about a pulley 52 which is in turn keyed to a shaft 53. Mounted on the one end of the shaft are a pair of contact arms 54, which are keyed thereto to rotate with the shaft. The shaft is mounted in and supported by a bearing 55, which may be bolted to the floor of the cockpit. Also bolted to the floor of the cockpit is a rheostat support 56 which supports a pair of rheostats 5i and 58. To insure the pedals 21 and 28 remaining in a neutral position and a balanced relationship, each pedal has .the shaft 53.

a double acting spring 58 affixed thereto and to a permanent support 69. In operation, the movement of one pedal forward moves the other pedal backward and vice versa, but at the same time, any movement is translated to the pulley 52 and shaft 53, and thus to the rheostat arms 5 6.

Referring to Fig. 4, mounted within the structure 3| is a two armed supporting standard 50 which may be affixed to the structure 3|. In the upper end of the two arms of the member 60 are two holes 61 and 62 which serve as bearings for a shaft 63.

Suspended from the shaft 63 is a supporting frame 64. Afiixed to a lower edge of the name cs is an arcuate gear segment 65 whose radius is determined by the center of shaft 63. Meshing with this gear segment is a worm gear 66 which is in turn supported by a bearing 61, which is afiixed to the standard of the member til; thus, it is apparent that when the worm gear is rotated, the whole structure within the frame at willbe moved about a pivot point, which happens to be Rotation of the worm gear one way W111 tilt the structure 64 one way and reversing the rotation will tilt the structure in th opposite direction. This, in effect, gives a bank control action.

Pivotally mounted on a pin it is a supportin frame 7 I, which bears on the frame 6% but is rotatalbly positioned by means of a gear segment 13 and worm gear it. The gear segment is affixed to the member 64 and the worm gear is mounted in a bearing l5, which is amxed to the frame I i, so that when the worm gear is rotated, the frame Ii will be moved about the pivot point it) in either direction, depending upon the rotation of the worm gear. This, in effect, simulates a rudder control action.

The frame II has two holes it and H in the upper ends of each standard which serve as supports for two stub shafts i8 and 19 respectively. Pivotally mounted on these stub shafts is a frame having two holes 8! and 82 in the upper end of its standards which serve as bearings to permit the frame 80 to swing'in an are about the pivotal center of the stub shafts "It and I9. Af-

-fixed to the frame 80 is a segment gear 83 and affixed to the frame it is a hearing as which supports a worm gear 85, so that the worm gear meshes with the gear segment. Whenthe gear 85 is rotated, the frame 80 will be moved forward or back about the pivotal point of the stub shafts to simulate an aileron control for nosing the airplane down or up.

Mounted on the frame 86 are two projectors 9D and 9! s0 mounted that their projection beams will merge to give superimposed images at a predetermined distance from the projectors. To insure a synchronous action of the shutters of both'projectors; a single motor is used to drive both projectors by means of a chain drive 93 over the sprockets of each projector.

It is apparent that the projectors when alternated in their frames of projection will cause a. superimposed projection picture without flicker. It is also obvious that the control mechanism whereon the projectors are mounted permits the projection picture to 'be tilted, imitating the banking action of a plane, to be turned left or right imitating the action of a rudder of an airplane, and to be nosed up or down, imitating the action of a pair of ailerons. The projectors and their accessories are a standard type of projector without any particular novel arrangement other than the single motor drive and the alternate aerasis shutter exposure operation. in some cases it is of value to provide one projector with a sound film and the necessary sound equipment to per- .mit realistic sound eilects to be used and, when necessary, verbal instructions may be used on the sound film.

Referring next'to Figs. 7 and 8, wherein a ache matic wiring diagram and drive layout of the controls is illustrated, the projector circuits and drives are comprised of a pair of projector lamps 90A and 9IA, a lamp switch 95, a motor switch 00, a battery 81, a motor 92, a motor control rheostat 98, a flexible cable drive 99 with worm gears I and IOI. The illumination and drive of the projectors may be traced by following the circuit illustrated. When the switch 98 is closed, a circuit will be completed from the battery 91 through through the lead I02 to the switch 95 through the closed switch, through the lead I03 to both lamps 80A and 9IA, through these lamps, through a lead I04 back to the opposite side of the battery 91. Likewise, when the switch 98 is closed, a'circuit will be completed from the battery 91 through the lead I02 to. the switch 96, through the switch, through the lead I05 to the rheostat 98, through the rheostat to the motor 92. through the motor 92, through the lead I06 and lead I01, back to the opposite side of the battery 91. The speed of the motor 92 will depend upon the position of the rheostat 98, which is adjustable. This, in effect, simulates a throttle control. The worm gears iiill and IOI are meshed with gears I08 and I09 respectively; they are in turn mounted on shafts lit and III and affixed thereto to drive the shafts. Mounted on these shafts are records H2 and H9 that are to be rotated by the shafts, and in addition, the records have an irregular cam periphery. Engaging the periphery of thesecams are rollers H4 and H5, which are in turn mounted on crank arms H8 and H1. The crank arms are pivotally mounted on shafts H8 and H9 and by means of springs I and El they maintain the rollers H4 and H5 in contact with the periphery of the cams I I2 and .I I3. The ends of the crank arms H8 and H1 which are away from the cams, have mounted thereon terminals I20A and I2IA, which support pairs of contact fingers I22, I29 and I24, I25.

The rudder pedals and their associated rheostat controls have already been identified. Likewise, the control stick and its associated rheostats and controls have been identified, so reference is next made to the motors and drives associated with this mechanism. The rudder control rheostats 51 and 58 are connected to a pair of motors I28 and I29, while the motor are in turn connected to the battery 91 by means of the lead I01. The rheostat contact arms 94 are electrically connected through shaft 53 and lead I90 to the switch 90, and when this switch is closed, will be connected to the opposite side of the battery 91. Thus, it is apparent that pushing down on the left rudder pedal will complete a circuit i'romthe battery 91 through switch 98, through the lead I80, shaft 59, rheostat arms 04. rheostats 01 and 00, to the motors I28 and I29. Since the motors are connected to the other side of the battery 91, they will be operated.

Referring to Fig. 9, it is apparent that both motors I28 and I29 will be operated and will be driving the diflerential III. Since the diiferential is used to translate the drive C. C. W. or C. W.

as the case maybe, or to remain stationary when mixed, then it is apparent i), when the left rudder he shaft 03 will be rotated s it will be moved clock- .1 one arm over the rheostat 'esistanceand the other arm over the rhe 58 to increase the resistance, which in. t causes the motor I28 to increase its speed, and the motor I29 to decrease its speed. The motor i258, driving much faster than the mo tor I28, cause the differential I3I to translate the drive in the direction of rotation of the faster motor I28.

Likewme, a similar circuit may be traced when the right rudder pedal is pushed inward, which will in turn translate a drive through the differential'in the direction of the one motor I29. Since both motors are connected to a differential gear I8I, then the output drive of the differential may be clockwise or counterclockwise, as the case may be. Afllxed to the shaft of the differential "I is a shaft I32, and affixed to the opposite side of the drive is a flexible shaft drive I33, so that increasing the speed of either motor I28 or I28 will have two direct efiects, one being to translate the drive to the flexible shaft I33, and the other effect being to rotate the shaft I32. The effect of driving the flexible shaft I33 is to drive the worm. gear 14, which meshes with the gear segment 18, which gives a rotary movement of the projector mount to simulate a rudder action The effect of driving the shaft I32 is to drive a worm gear I34, which in turn meshes with a gear I85. Sincethe gear I35 is aflixed to a shaft I I9, and likewise has a rheostat carrying arm I36 the two drives as that, (referring pedal is pushed and the center wise. This w 9? to reduce aillxed thereto, then the arm I36 will be moved on the arm I38 is a central contact I42 so positioned that when the arm II? is centrally positioned over the arm I80, the finger I25 will make contact with the contact I42.

In similar fashion, the aileron control rheostats 43 and 44 are connected .to a pair of motors I60 and NH, while the motors are in turn connected to the battery 91 by means of the leads I82 and I01. The rheostat contact arms 35 are connected through a lead I90 to the switch 96, and when this switch is closed, will be connected to the opposite side of the battery 91. Thus, it is obvious that moving the stick forward to nose down the airplane will complete a circuit from the battery 91 through the switch 96, through the lead I30, rheostat arms 35, rheostats 44 and 43, leads I88 and I84, to the motors I60 and NH. Since the resistance to motor I8I is reduced, the motor will speed up and the diiferential I85 will be driven in this direction. Likewise, a similar circuit may be traced when the stick is moved rearward to nose up the airplane, which in turn, operates the motor I80. Since both motors will be operated at the same time, both motors are connected to a differential gear I 95, so that the motor producing the greater input drive to the differential will produce a clockwise or counterclockwise drive as the case may be. Afllxed to one end of the differential IE5 is a shaft I66, and afllxed to the opposite side is a flexible shaft I61,

'80 that acceleration of either motor I or I6I will have a direct efiect on the difierential, rotating the difierential with the accelerated gear which translates the drive to the shaft, and so to the flexible shaft I51 and the shaft I66. The effect of driving the flexible shaft I81 is to drive the worm gear 85, which meshes with the gear segment 83, which gives a rocking movement of the projector mount to simulate the nosing up or down of the airplane under the aileron control. The effect of driving the shaft I66 is to drive a worm gear 110, which in turn meshes with a gear Ill; since the gear is afiixed to a shaftl IE and likewise, has a rheostat carrying arm I12 amxed thereto, then the arm I12 will be moved right or left, according to the drive of motors I60 or IGI. Mounted on the rheostat arm are two rheostats I13 and I14 so positioned that the contact finger I22 will make contact with either rheostat when the arm H2 or arm H6 is moved about the pivot shaft II8. Also mounted on the arm I12 is a control contact I so positioned that when the arm H5 is centrally positioned over the arm I12, the finger I23 will make contact with the contact I15.

Referring to the bank control rheostats 36 and d1, which are connected to a pair of motors I86 and I8I while the motors are in turn connected to the battery 91 by means of the leads I62 and I01, the rheostat contact arms GI are connected through lead I30 to the switch '56, and when this switch is closed, will be connected to the opposite side of the battery 51. And so it is apparent that moving the stick 26 to the right or left to simulate a banking action will complete a circuit, through the motors I89 and IBI, accelerating one or the other as the case may be. Since both motors are connected to a differential I82 and both motors may drive through the difienential, then the flexible cable are which is attached to the shaft of the differential will be driven clockwise or counterclockwise, depending upon which motor is accelerated. shaft I83 in turn drives the worm gear 68, which meshes with the gear segment 55, which gives a tilting eifect to the projector mount, to simulate a banking action either to the left or right, as the case may be.

The circuit at this point may be followed by reference to Fig. 8 wherein a target light H5 3, a battery I65, 9. switch I52, a switch I53, a pair of spotting lights I66, M1 and battery I5I are the means of indicating the various positions of aiming during gunnery practice, as well as actual hits made.

A direct hit is indicated by the lamp Id; this means that the airplane controls are correctly positioned, with a computed ballistic correction The flexible induced by the cams H2 and H2, andthe target is in range as Dre-analyzed in the film to close the switch I52 by means of the film notch. The

circuit may be traced from one side of the'bat- ,tery I65 through the switch I52 to the terminal IZUA, through the contact finger I23, to the contact I15, through a lead I85 to the contact M2, through the contact finger I25, to the terminal I2IA, through a lead I85 to the switch I53, through this switch to the lamp use and the opposite lead of the lamp is in turn connected to as'rasis cate the amount of out of phase the controls are with relation to the correct line of flight. When any one or two of the lamps are dimly lighted, that would indicate a slight error, but in the event any one or two lamps are brightly lighted, that would indicate a great error.

Assuming the film has been analyzed for range so that notches appear on one side or the film wherever the target is in range, and the ballistics have been computed so that the degree of aim above, below, to the right or to the left of the target fora hit is known, the degree of aim up or down, right or left is controlled by the cams H2 and H3. This is done by plotting two lines one horizontal and one parallel, for the complete length of the film to be projected as indicated in Fig. 1'1. If the aim for a hit remained constant, then the airplane could be aimed directly on the target as indicated by the dotted lines in this figure, but due to the speed of flight, the direction of approach and other ballistic factors, it is necessary to aim the airplane for gunnery a small degree above or below the target or to the right or left or the target. This is indicated by the wavy lines in Fig. 17. These lines are transposed to the irregular faced cams II2 and I I3. Referring to Fig. 8, it is apparent that the movement of the rollers lid and Ila along these irregular cam faces will cause the arms I It and II1 to be moved pivotally to the right and left as the case may be. Since the arms I36 and I12 are moved by the rudder and aileron controls, then it is necessary to move the arms I36 and I12 ti) the same degree in unison with the movement of the arms H5 and Hi to obtain ba1lis-,

tically corrected hits. In the event the aiming is high or low 01' left or right, the two arms H1 and I36 or the two arms H6 and I12 will not be in phase and an off target circuit will be completed. For example, assuming the aileron control has been carried too far down and the motor Idl has driven throu h the differential, shaft, and gears to move the arm I12 too far down, this will complete a circuit which may be followed from the battery I58 to the terminal IZUA on through the contact finger I 22, through the rheostat I13 to the lamp M6 and through this lamp back to the other side of the battery Ida. Thus the lamp use will indicate that the aileron control has been used to nose the airplane too far down to give a hit according to the computed point for that particular shot or shots, and the degree of illumination will indicate how far out of phase the control is. Other similar circuits may be followed to indicate the error in aim of the airplane, permitting a correction before firing which will train the gunner to familiarize himself with the necessity of and degree of ballistic correction needed. The means of gunnery indication described is incidental to the actual fiight controls, but the flight controls are absolutely essential to make the gunnery practice pos sible.

Although the stick and rudder pedals are the only controls necessary for maneuvering the pro- Jector mount to simulate flight control, yet to properly coordinate other instrument controls and incidental conections, there is provided a dash mount whereon a group of simulated instruments are mounted, such as an air speed meter 285, a bank indicator am, an R. P. M. meter 202, an ignition switch 293, a brake control 255, and a group of other dummy instruments to give a realistic effect. Another dummy installation is a two way radio 260 in which the tuning means ii I permits picking up one of a number of telephone connections; An amplifying dial 2 I 2 permits regulation of the volume tone, plugs 2i! permit the head set, to be connected and a switch 2 is provided to turn the set on or oil. Other dials or controls may be added for microphone and modulation for sending. The pluraltiy of telephone connections are to provide two way communication between planes, airports. and other stations. A throttle 82A is provided and, as already indicated in Fig. 7, provides the variable resistance control for the projector motor, thus regulatingthe speed of projection of the moving picture. In the event the instrument indications are desirous, various connections are plausible and will be described briefly herein. Installing an operable air speed meter at 200, Fig. 12, requires an actuating means. This may be provided by a small Pitot tube inserted in front of the air cooling ran of the projecting motor 02 and then adjusted to register approximately the speed simulated on the projected picture. Likewise, the R. P. M. meter 202 may be operable and the drive provided by a connection to the projection motor 92. A- real bank indicator may a be installed at 2M and connected by flexible cable to the projector mount, where it will be operated by a worm driven gear 2|5, Fig. 4. The bank indicator, in addition to the needle indicating the relative position'of the axis of the wings from a horizontal axis, also has a ball indicator to indicate side slip. Since side slip of the airplane will vary with each projection problem, and each problem requires a certain attitude, it is essential to compute the movement oi the ball for each case and set this problem on a cam as in Fig. 8 to operate this meter.

A landing gear retracting lever 2H3 may also be provided and flap or tab operating controls 2 I! may also be installed. The operation of the levers M6 and 2i! may be indicated outside the cockpit or may be indicated directly on the dash by small red and green lamps 2l8. A compass may be simulated by installing a bal1 meter at 2!! and controlling its movement by a flexible cable connected to a worm driven gear 2l8, which meshes with the gear 14, Fig. 6; this ball meter should be set before flight to start on a given dictum line. A rain of climb meter or altimeter may be installed at 220, Fig. 12, and this should be controlled by the film. This may be accomplished by a simple analysis of the film for approximate altitude and a graph curve drawn for changes in altitude. As already described inthe gunner device, this graph curve may be transferred to a disc 22 i and the disc driven by a flexible cable and worm drive 222 in conjunction with the projection motor 92. A follower 223 tracing the contour of this disc would move an am 224 and contact 225 over a'rheostat, 226 which is in the circuit of the meter. Thus, the movement of the contact 225 over the rheostat 226 would determine the current flow from the battery 221 and, therefore, the reading on the meter 22!).

Figure 1 has been illustrated without a gunsight because one embodiment of this invention discloses a training unit for flying instruction, whereas Fig. 12 illustrates the controls and instruments for a trainer and includes a gunsight 230 which becomes a part of another embodiment of this invention. In this latter embodiment, the gunsight 230 is mounted on the spotting board so that sighting and spotting shots are coordinated. The gun sight may be mounted on the correct line of sight of the gunner or pilot, and

' ing.

may be moved forward or back for exact position, but the spotting board should be kept in close relationship for easy vision while aiming and fir- In Fig. 12 the control stick 2. has a switch I53 mounted on its extreme end for firing the shots. This is the same switch as indicated in Fig. 8.

1 The other switch I52 of this circuit is a range of frames in the length of film used, Assuming that the airplane may be aimed at'a target along this imaginary line, if the target were in range, then hits could be scored all along this line. Since the target is not continually in range, then the film must be plotted for the frames showing the target in range. These areas are the particular sections where the notches 2, Fig. 10 are formed. It is apparent in Fig. 11 that if the airplane is aimed correctly according to the trace X to Y, then hits can be made between AB, CD, and EF, assuming that the target falls into and out of range as indicated by the solid line L to M.

Referring to Fig. 10 which illustrates a section of film,'the sound tracks F and G are indicated. The F sound tract is the normal mixed sounds of the airplane motor and noises, while the G sound track is the gun chatter. The F track is open at all times and is a predetermined sound for the complete projection, but the G track is normally closed by a shutter S and remains silent except for the few periods of actuation by the gun firing switch I53, Fig. 8. As may be seen in Fig. 8, the closing of switch I63 energizes a relay 210 by means of a battery 21 I; the relay in turn pullsthe shutter S to the left in the i s. 8 and 10. This opens the sound tract G allowing the recording thereon to be picked up and transformed into a noisy gun chatter on the speaker of the set. The shutter S will immediately close due to spring pressure whenever the relay 210 is de-energized. Thus it is apparent that actuation of the gun ilring switch will cause an immediate noisy gun chatter which ceases when the switch is released.

Having described the various parts and their relationship, it is obvious that problems too numerous to relate may be set up and directed through the medium of the sound film, which give any desired training from simple forms of flying to difficult dog fight angles of attack and defense. By way of example, referring to Fig. l, the mechanism illustrated is suflicient to train pilots in simplev take oil and landing as well as elemental movements of the airplane in the air.

A further step in training pilots might include many of the instruments indicated in Fig. 12, permitting advanced training of all types or more specifically, problems in which the pilot must know the R. P. M. of his motor, air speed, altitude, direction of flight, the attitude of his airplane, etc. A still further step in training pilots for gunnery practice might include all the features illustrated in Fig. 12 andFig. 1.

An alternate form of arrangement for pro jection is illustrated in Fig. 13 wherein the projection mechanism 3! is positioned belowor near the cockpit 2G and a mirror 235 is used to efiect the picture on the windshild 22, or in another form the mirror mount is used for a screen 236 on which the movie is projected.

Although all previous embodiments depend upon the movement of the projectors to simulate changes in attitude of the airplane, it is possible to affix the projectors in one plane for rudder movement alone, and move the cockpit in a banking attitude or a climb or dive attitude. or combinations of both movements to give greater latitude of movement.

A still further embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 14 contemplates the installation of the same projecting control with a dummy tank, wherein the movement will be in one plane and the gunnery control will be afiixed to one gun for manual movement of the gun.

A further embodiment of the invent'on contemplates a gun turret position Fig. 15, wherein a plurality of machine guns are mounted to be rotated or moved with the gunner under his control. In this embodiment the whole assembly 256 is mounted on a shaft EBI and is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a reversible motor 252. Banking movement is accompl shed y a reversible motor 253 which drives a chain on the periphery 258 of the turret mount. The gun -.turret may be moved up or down in angular aim bythe reversible motor 255 which drives the shaft 258 to position the whole turret. The projector 266 may be mounted on the shaft 25l or afilxed in a stationary position as the case may be, and a screen 25! i provded for p jection. The gunnery mechanism which has been described for the airplane can be installed in the same manner on the turret unit providing a spotting board for training purposes.

Having described the various mechanisms that go to make up this invention and some of the forms of embodiment which amplify the various uses, the disclosure given is not by way of limitation, but may be altered or varied to accomplish the same results and is only limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An airplane trainer which comprises. in combination, dummy controls of an airplane including means to simulate the firing of a fixed gun or a plurality of fixed guns from said airplane, a gunsight, a projector to project a moving image. means responsive to the movement of said dumm controls to displace said projector relative to said screen in horizontal as well as vertical direction and to vary its inclination, means responsive to the actuation of said firing means to provide a firing sound effect.

2. An airplanetrainer which comprises, in combination, dummy controls of an airplane including rudder and pedal control and further including means for simulating the firing of a fixed gun or a plurality of guns from the sad airplane trainer. a gunsight. a projector to project a moving picture upon a screen in said trainer. means responsive to the movements of said dummy controls to move said field of vision in horizontal as well as in vertical dire tion and to vary its inclination. and means responsive to the actuation of said firing means to signal a hit or a miss.

3. An airplane trainer which comprises. in combination, dummy controls of an arplane including rudder and pedal controls and further including means to simulate the firin of a fixed gun or a plurality of fixed gun from the said airplane, a gunsight, a projector to project a moving picture upon a screen associated with said trainer, means responsive to the movements of said dummy controls to move said projector so that the projected image on said screen is moved in both horizontal and vertical direction as well as varying its inclination and means responsive to the actuation of said firing means to signal a hit or a miss and to open said sound track to provide the sound of firing.

4. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, dummy controls and means for simulating the firing of a gun, a gunsight, a projector to project a moving picture film upon a screen, means to indicate the correct points on said film as projected at which a ht upon a target may be made, means responsive to the said dummy controls to move said gunsight and gun with respect to said screen in both horizontal and vertical direction, and mean responsive to the actuation of said firing means to signalwhere the shots would hit with relation to the target.

5. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, dummy controls and means for simulation the firing of a gun. a gunsight, a projector to project a moving image, means to indicate the correct points in said projection at which a hit upon the said image may be made, means responsive to the said dummy control to move said gunsight and gun with respect to said projected image in both horizontal and vertical direction, and mean responsive to the actuation of said firing means to signal where the shots would hit with relation to the projected image.

6. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination, controls simulating the control of an airplane. means including a gunsight for use in simulating the firing of a gun from the said airplane. a projector mounted for universal articu- 4o lation to project a moving picture upon a screen.

means responsive to the movements of said controls to cause relative displacement of the image on said screen and means responsive to the actuagirrn of said simulated firing means to signal a 7. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination. controls simulating the controls of an a rplane, means including a gunsi ht for use in simulatin the firing of a gun. a projector to project a movin picture u on a screen, means resoonsive to the movements of said controls to dislace the picture produced by said projector with respect toisaid screen, and means responsive to the actuation of said simulated firing means to signal a hit, a 'miss, and the direction and degree of each miss.

8. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination. controls simulating those of an airplane. means for simulating the firing of a gun, a projector to project a moving picture upon a screen, means responsive to the movements of said controls to displace the picture produced by said pro ector with respect to said screen, a plural ty of lamps visible to the operator, and mechanism to cause at least one of said lamps to be illuminated when said simulated firing means are actuated. said last-mentioned mechanism includng means pro-arran ed to illuminate one of said lamps when the position of said projector corresponds to the position it should be in to register a hit. and further adapted to illuminate at least nne'nf the remaining lamps with variable intensity if the position of said projector corresponds to a miss, the location of the last mentioned lamps being disposed to indicate the direction of the miss and the intensity of illumination being proportional to the degree of the miss.

9. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination, controls simulating those which control the movements of an airplane, means including a gunsight to simulate the firing of a gun on the said airplane, a projector to project a moving picture upon a screen associated with said trainer, means responsive to the movements of said controls to move said projector to displace the picture with respect to said screen, signal means including mechanism to provide sound, and means responsive to the actuation of said simulated firing means to cause said signal means to function.

10. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination, controls simulating those of an airplane, means including a gunsight to simulate the firing of a gun from said airplane, a projector including a film to project a moving picture upon a screen, means responsive to the movement of said controls to cause relative displacement of the image on-said screen, and means controlled by the film to produce appropriate sounds.

11. A gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, controls simulating those of a vehicle and means including a gunsight for use in simulating the firing of a gun mounted on the vehicle, a projector to project a moving picture upon a screen, means responsive to the move= ment of said controls to move said projector at its point, of articulation and thus to shift the picture produced thereby with respect to said screen, and means responsive to the actuation of said simulated firing means, to signal a hit or miss.

12. A gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, controls simulating those of a. vehicle and means including a gunsight and switch for use in simulating the firing or a gun mounted on a vehicle, a projector to project the image of a moving picture upon a screen, means responsive to the movement of said controls to displace said projector and thus shift the image produced thereby with respect to said screen, means to produce the sound of firing, a signalling means responsive to the actuation of said simulated switch firing means to cause said signalling means to indicate a hit or a-miss and to cause said sound means to function.

13. An airplane trainer which includes, in combination, a windshield, manually actuated controls simulating the controls of an. airplane, and means including a gunsight for use in simulating the firing of a gun, a projector to project a moving picture image of greater dimensions than said windshield in the plane of said windshield, means responsive to the movements of said controls for shifting the optic axis of the projector to cause relative displacement between the image pro duced by the projector and said windshield, and means responsive to the actuation of said simulated firing means to signal a hit, a miss,- and the direction and degree of each miss.

14. A gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, means used to simulate the firing of a gun, a projector to project a moving image on a screen, means to limit the field of vision on the screen, means to move the projector and thus shift the projected image with respect to said limited field of vision, and means responsive to the actuation of said first named means to signal a hit or a miss.

15. A gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, means used to simulate the firing of a gun, a projector including a film to project a moving picture upon a screen, cam means defining a record of a plurality of ballistically cor-' rect points at which a hit may be made on the picture, control means to move said projectorto shift the picture with respect to said screen, means to produce appropriate sounds, and means responsive to the operation of said control means to initiate a path of simulated flight and means responsive to said simulated firing means to produce a signal to indicate a hit.

16. In a gunnery trainer which comprise in combination, controls simulating the controls of an airplane and means used to simulate the firing of a gun, a gunsight, a projector to project a moving picture film upon a screen, means to predetermine a giveh path of a target on said film to define a given path of the image as projected at which a hit upon the. target may be made, means responsive to the said controls to cause relative movement between said gunsight and the image on said screen, and means responsive to the continued operation of said controls to initiate a path of simulated fiight and actuation of the means to simulate firing to signal where the shots would hit with relation to the target.

17. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, controls and means used to simulate the firing of a gun, a gunsight, a projector said means to simulate firing to signal where the shots would hit with relation to the target on said film.

18. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, controls and means used to simulate the firing of a gun, a gunsight, a projector to project a moving image upon a screen, means to indicate the correct points on said screen at which a hit upon the said image may be made, means responsive to the said controls to cause relative movement between said gunsight and the projected image on the screen, and means responsive to the actuation of said means to simulate firing to signal where the shots would hit'with relation to the projected image on the screen.

19. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination means including a gunsight used to simulate the firing of a gun, a projector to project a moving picture film upon a screen, memory means to retain a record of the correct points on said film as projected at which a hit upon said picture may be made, means responsive to the said controls to cause relative movement between said gunsight and the picture on said screen,

and means responsive to the actuation of said 'means to simulate firing to signal a hit, a miss and the direction and degree of each miss.

20. In a gunnery trainer which comprises, in combination, controls and means including a gunsight used to simulate the firing of a gun, a projector to project a moving picture film with a target upon a screen, memory means to retain a record of the correct points on said film as projected at which a hit or a miss upon said target may be made, means responsive to the said controls to cause relative movement between said gunsight and the target on said screen, and means responsive to the actuation of said means to simulate firing to signal a hit or a miss when the target is in range with said simulated firing means.

21. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a projector mounted for univice fixed relative to and having its optic axis pointing towards the screen, means forming a control station including a set of controls simulating airplane controls operatively connected to said projector, articulating mechanism to effeet a shifting at will of the image on the screen relative to the optic axis of the sighting device and a signaling device including a manually operable control, said control and sighting device being accessible to the operator at the control station.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a projector mounted for universal articulation and disposed to produce a moving picture image on a screen,-mechanism for articulating the projector to shift the position of the image on the screen, a sighting device fixed relative to and having its optic axis pointing towards the screen, means forming a control station including a set of controls to simulate airplane controls operatively connected to said mechanism to effect a shifting at will of the image on the screen relative to the optic axis of the sighting device, an electric notice impelling device including two control switches operatively connected to function on the closing of the switches, one of said switches controlled automatically by the shifting of the projector into a position having a pre-flxed relation between the optic axis of the projector and the optic axis of the sighting device, and the other switch being adapted to be manually actuated.

23. A film with succeeding frames having a target on each frame, a point on each frame at which a gun should be aimed to attain a hit on said target and the path of the points on the succeeding frames defining a curve, a template corresponding to the curve of the said path relative to a line of reference through the film and a cam to correspond to the contour of the template.

24. An apparatus for teaching aerial gunning including a projector and a. film to be projected, said film comprised of a plurality of frames, a pair of cam controls driven by the projector, controls and means used to simulate firing including a gunsight, a plurality of points on said film that when projected on a screen form an image at which the simulated firing means must be aimed to obtain a hit, a line through said plurality of points on said film, a vertical template whose contour corresponds to the deviation of said line from a central vertical axis of each frame of said film, a horizontal template whose contour corresponds to the'deviation of said line from a central horizontal axis of each frame of said film, the operative face of one cam corresponding to the contour of said vertical template and the operative face of the other cam corresponding to the contour of said horizontal template.

25. An apparatus for waching aerial gunning including a projector and a film to be projected, said film comprised of a plurality of frames, a pair of cam controls driven by the projector, con= trols and means used to simulate firing including a gunsight, a facsimile of the film, a plurality of points on said facsimile corresponding to a plurality of imaginary spots on said film that when projected on a screen are the points at which the simulated firing means must be aimed to obtain a hit, a line through said plurality of points on said facsimile, a vertical template whose contour corresponds to the deviation of said line from a central vertical axis of each frame of said film, a horizontal template whose contour corresponds to the deviation oi said line from a central horizontal axis of each frame of said film, the operating face of one cam corresponding to the contour of said vertical template and the operative face of the cam corresponding to the contour of said horizontal template.

26. In an apparatus including a moving picture the means to teach the aiming point on the projected picture at which a hit may be made, said means including the combination of two motors operatively connected to a differential, a. worm driven lever supporting a contact of an electric circuit, said worm connected to said difierential to be driven clockwise or counter-clockwise depending upon the relative speed of the two drivlng motors, said lever being pivotally moved either side of a central reference point depending upon the direction of rotation of said worm, a motor driven cam and second lever with a roller that is spring pressed against said cam to follow its contour, said second lever being pivotally mounted to align with the first lever at the said central reference point and having a contact point positioned to touch the contact of the first lever, said second lever being pivotally moved either side of said central reference point by the said roller, means to maintain the position of the first lever in alignment with the second lever during the rotation of the said motor driven cam so that the contacts on both levers touch to complete an electric circuit.

27. Apparatus similar to claim 26 in which there are two differentials and two worm driven levers and in which there are included two motor driven cams that are driven by a single motor, each motor driven cam having a different contour and means to control the rotation of each worm gear to maintain the position of each first lever in alignment with each second lever during the rota= tion of the said motor driven cams so that the contacts of both first. and second levers complete a circuit.

HOWARD T. JEANDRON. 

